Review: As You Are by Sarah M. Eden

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages.

But how to catch the eye of the lady? According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman’s desire—dubious advice, indeed.

Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they’ve been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he’s coming to care for so ardently.

When the menace of Clara’s past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1815, this romance focuses on Corbin Jonquil and Clara Bentford. Clara has overcome her fear and gotten out of an abusive situation. Corbin’s attempts to attract her attention (based on horrible advice from his brothers) is hilarious. The usual classic misunderstandings and miscommunications keep them apart—providing a good amount of romantic tension. But what sets this romance apart is the clever dialog and depth of character.

There is some violence with the physical and emotional abuse of this story, mostly implied and part of the back story; a total sleeze making unwanted advances; some fisticuffs; Clara is charged with assault and the authorities try to drag her back to the abusive situation she’d escaped from. Some readers might be sensitive to this, but the violence is not too detailed or harsh.

Over all, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who like regency romance.

About Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden read her first Jane Austen novel in elementary school and has been addicted to historical romance ever since. With a degree in research and a fascination with history, Eden loves delving deep into history. She is the author of multiple historical romances, including Whitney Award finalists Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, and AML’s “2013 Novel of the year” Longing for Home.